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Puerto Rico sweeps Canada to win nation’s first NORCECA Championship title

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

Outside attacker Pelegrin Vargas after years of playing for Purdue Fort Wayne in college and Puerto Rico in international tournaments now has a championship title.

And he didn’t leave any doubt about it in the gold-medal match.

Vargas finished with seven kills on a .462 attack percentage and had a team-high two blocks as Puerto Rico swept Canada 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 on Monday in Mexico to win the NORCECA Continental Championship for the first time in the nation’s history. Continue reading “Puerto Rico sweeps Canada to win nation’s first NORCECA Championship title”

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U.S. block too much for Dominican Republic in NORCECA fifth-place finals

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

Spencer Olivier saved his best defensive performance for the final match of the NORCECA Continental Championship.

The Long Beach State outside attacker finished with a match-high five blocks as the United States defeated the Dominican Republic 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21 on Monday in Durango, Mexico to finish the tournament in fifth place. Continue reading “U.S. block too much for Dominican Republic in NORCECA fifth-place finals”

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Former BYU great sparks Puerto Rico upset of Cuba in NORCECA semifinals

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

Gabi Garcia Fernandez has once again lifted his team to a championship match.

The former BYU opposite had a team-high 15 kills while hitting .419 to help Puerto Rico upset undefeated Cuba 25-16, 19-25, 26-24, 31-29 in the NORCECA Continental Championship semifinals on Saturday in Durango, Mexico. Continue reading “Former BYU great sparks Puerto Rico upset of Cuba in NORCECA semifinals”

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Gianni, U.S. overpower Guatemala in NORCECA fifth-place semifinals

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

Outside attacker Camden Gianni made the most of his first time in the U.S. starting lineup.

The Grand Canyon All-MPSF sophomore had a match-high 25 kills on a .571 attack percentage as the United States rallied to beat Guatemala 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 33-31 in the fifth-place semifinals of the NORCECA Continental Championship on Sunday in Durango, Mexico. Continue reading “Gianni, U.S. overpower Guatemala in NORCECA fifth-place semifinals”

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U.S. stunned in NORCECA quarterfinals, loses to Canada in five games

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

The hopes of a gold medal or podium finish for the United States came to an abrupt end in the fifth game.

The United States gave up a 4-0 run early in the decisive game as it lost to Canada 22-25, 25-22, 25-15, 22-25, 15-10 in the quarterfinals of the NORCECA Continental Championship on Saturday in Mexico. Continue reading “U.S. stunned in NORCECA quarterfinals, loses to Canada in five games”

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United States ends pool-play suffering first loss at NORCECA Championship

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

Cuba ensured the United States will have to take the long path to win a gold medal at the NORCECA Continental Championship.

The United States in a de facto group title match failed to secure the automatic bid to the semifinals as it lost to Cuba 25-23, 25-23, 25-20 on Friday in Durango, Mexico. Continue reading “United States ends pool-play suffering first loss at NORCECA Championship”